Reviews, videos and more on emerging bands & music from around the world to enlighten past the lamestream masses. Published by Russian Winter Records, Kansas City based Indie Record Label, PR Firm & BMI Affiliated Music Publisher.

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Friday, August 29, 2014

Other Half/Bright Encounter is the new album from Cestine. The Ann Arbor, MI duo of Dominic Coppola and Theodore Schafer make minimalist ambient music. The two tracks, totaling 15 minutes of music each, flow through ambient soundscapes with a very natural type of progression, seemingly spawning an organic feeling, rather than one of manufactured music. The layers build and fall like a day passing across one's observation, leaving a unique impression with each listener. This is mature music for those who can appreciate sound as aural art, rather than sound as entertainment. Stream and buy Other Half/Bright Encounter on limited edition cassette at the link below.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

FZB favorite Suffering﻿ Astrid is back with a new EP, The Winds Are Raging Outside Again. The work of Polish artist/producer Bruno Janiszewski, the three tracks are enormous walls of ambient post-metal mastery. Laden with heavy noise and dense orchestral cloisters, Janiszewski creates a completely engulfing dark sonic experience, while yielding a melodic undertow that pulls one along through each piece. Turn this one up loud.......LOUD! Stream and download The Winds Are Raging Outside Again at the link below

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Alive/Well is the new album from San Jose band Bread Club. The band of Jeff Wilson, Taylor Bortner, Cole Calvo and David Lechuga have a classic emo sound that is a cross between bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Panic at the Disco, with a little Used thrown in for good measure. The eleven tracks are musically heavy, driving and loud. Both of the lead vocalists are a little ragged throughout and unfortunately hold back the overall effect of the record a bit, but the songs are strong, arrangements are solid and there's enough rockin for anyone. Stream, download and buy Alive/Well on limited edition CD or cassette at the link below.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Philadelphia dream pop mavens Work Drugs release their new album Runaways on Oct 7th. The duo of Ben Louisiana and Thomas Crystal have released three advance tracks on Bandcamp and the whole album is up for pre-order. The three tracks are slickly produced pop songs that build on all the current clichés in indie pop music. Fitting in with the likes of Hot Chip, MGMT and Phoenix, the album is sure to raise Work Drugs' profile even more. Stream and buy Runaways at the link below.

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&lt;a href="http://workdrugs.bandcamp.com/album/runaways"&gt;Runaways by Work Drugs&lt;/a&gt;

Monday, August 25, 2014

Revolver is the debut full length from Warsaw, Poland rockers, Westwood. The trio of Jacek Krzeszewski, Piotr Franiek and Piotr Zabiełło make straight up rock n roll. No pretense, nothing trendy and a total absence of hipster. With this album, pure rock and nothing but rock is served up. The eleven tracks are there to turn up and enjoy what has become a rare commodity, an unadulterated rock band that brings back all the classic traits. Stream and buy Revolver at the link below.

Friday, August 22, 2014

age[v.] is the debut EP from shoegaze band Morning Mesh. Released on Michigan label Tape Hiss Music, the three tracks are sprawling affairs totaling 24 minutes of music. With distinctly lo-fi production, minimalist arrangements and recurring themes, the EP is a post-punk cacophony of brilliance manifest. Exploiting industrial synth stylings to create ambience and tension, with vocal passages that carry their own agenda, echoing musical themes, but yet maintaining independent identity. This is an EP to get lost in for awhile. Stream and buy age[v.] at the link below.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Today marks the release of the S/T debut EP by Australian band EXEK. The four tracks are dark affairs that blend the influences of bands like The Doors and Velvet Underground with modern ideas of noise and punk stylings. The result is an EP that is full of stark energy, sparse arrangements and sinister guitar riffs. This is an EP that is best placed in a late night headphone rendezvous. Stream and buy EXEK at the link below.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Stars & Letters Records artists Black City Lights have a dazzling new video for their track Not Enough. In the video a tortured artist attempts to recreate a perfect piece of art, however he
never achieves this and forces himself into alienation. He comes to realise his work will never be enough, and destroys his artwork to break his unhealthy obsession. Watch it below.

Eau Claire, WI indie rockers Softly Dear have a new S/T album that is one of those rare instances in life of finding something perfect. The ten tracks reveal expertly crafted songs, with strong hooks and a radio ready patina. Add to this some of the strongest vocals and instrumental performances of the year and you have a glimpse of a band that is destined to reach a wide audience. This is one to turn all your friends on to. This album is simply perfection. Stream and buy Softly Dear at the link below.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Milwaukee's Twin Brother have released their sophomore album, Swallow The Anchor. The nine tracks are powerful indie rock, with prominent folk influences, creating an original sound that at once sounds familiar. The trio of vocalist/guitarist Sean Raasch, drummer Tyler Nelson and Lodewijk ("Lodi") Broekhuizen on bass and violin, have crafted a sound that is melodic and dynamic, with superb vocals and stunning musicianship. This another must have album. Stream and buy Swallow The Anchor at the link below.

Monday, August 18, 2014

We Need You is the new EP from German garage band Lo Fat Orchestra. In an unusual twist for a garage band, the four tracks are completely without guitars, relying on solid bass and drums as the core, with electronics and noise providing the rest of the instrumentation. Capped off with some strong vocals and great songwriting, this is simply one of the best EPs of the year. A definate must have. Stream and buy We Need You at the link below.

Loft Sessions is a series of live music videos presented by Manitoba Music featuring new music from Manitoba artists and filmed in locations throughout Winnipeg's historic Exchange District. Last week Indicator Indicator were featured in the Loft Sessions where they preformed their single “Back into the Fire” off their Indicator Indicator EP. Follow the link below to watch their live performance.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Today we have some music from the Ukraine, by way of pop punk artist Phooey, aka Nikita Ogurtsov. His new EP is Upright Animals and Their Ridiculous Tricks. The five tracks are stark, edgy﻿ pieces with a bit of a Cold War Kids feel to them. The EP blends hard punk passages with more melodic pop interludes, to yield tracks that have a nice dynamic range without sacrificing the intensity punk music requires. Stream and buy Upright Animals and Their Ridiculous Tricks at the link below.

&lt;a href="http://phooey.bandcamp.com/album/upright-animals-and-their-ridiculous-tricks"&gt;Upright Animals and Their Ridiculous Tricks by Phooey!&lt;/a&gt;

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Whatever happened? is the latest EP from Auckland, New Zealand band Hospital Sports. Similar stylistically to bands like Real Estate, but with a darker sheen, the trio of Morgan Allen, Danny Ebdale and Madison Plummer, make music that is lush, melodic and completely compelling. Featuring a perfect mix of dynamic changes, wonderful guitar lines, tight bass and drums, and songs that pull one deep into the music, this is an EP that should be part of everyone's collection. Stream and download Whatever Happened? at the link below.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

FZB favorites crashfaster are back with an absolutely killer new EP, superchroma. This release sees the San Francisco band emerging as the synthpop powerhouse that they have always hinted at. The six tracks are indie masterpieces that will hold one rapt in a world of powerful songwriting and riveting performance. The first track, photograph, is a worthy contender to fill the void left by LCD Soundsystem's absence, while GO! could well be the best crafted dance single of this year. The track goodbye is a noise rock milestone and the rest of the EP is equally as strong. To say this EP is a must have is an understatement. Stream and buy superchroma at the link below.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

NYC pop auteurs Sun Nectar have released their debut album Sheep Love & Metal Gloves. The first thing that jumps out at you on this release is the lushness of the tracks. This is supplied by a break from conventional band aesthetics, with this seven piece group including a full string quartet. Buoyed by synths, bass and drums, with strong vocals and stunning arrangements, Sun Nectar make music that rewrites the rules of what can be expected from the self-release idiom. Stream and buy Sheep Love & Metal Gloves at the link below.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Aeternum is the new EP from FZB favorite Synthetic Epiphany. The project of UK artist/producer Marcus Levy-Chance, the six tracks showcase another set of genre spanning electronic masterpieces. Aeternum is the tenth release from Synthetic Epiphany in the last two years, showcasing a prolific ability to craft sophisticated electronic music. Ranging from dance beats to ambient landscapes, Levy-Chance continues to release must have music. Stream and buy Aeternum at the link below.

Friday, August 8, 2014

British Columbia band Otters has released their self-titled debut album. The thirteen tracks are raucous and loud affairs, that evoke a bit of Japandoids and Cloud Nothings in style. With some bluesy roots and a firm grip on garage rock, Otters make the kind of music that is perfect to turn up loud, invite all your friends over and annoy the neighbors. Very simply, this is a fine debut that delivers all one could ask for from a rock band. Just turn it up an enjoy. Stream and buy Otters at the link below.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Virginia based tape label Otherworldly Mystics have just released the new S/T EP from Wisconsin post-punkers Haunter, marking their debut for the label. Drawing from influences such as MBV and Mazzy Star, the band of John Schoneman, Erik Kersting, Alec Grefe and Aidan Keyes ﻿serve up six tracks of dense, pouty music, with atmospheric vocals and an abundance of fuzz. The EP is available as a limited edition cassette in a run of 100. Stream and buy Haunter at the link below.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Pittsburgh, PA indie rockers Girl Scout, have released their S/T debut EP. The six tracks meld together influences from Dinosaur Jr. to Fugazi, to regale the ears with an updated version of the post-punk genre. Lyrically interesting and musically strong, the band steps up to deliver a debut that shows both depth and range. Traits usually in short supply on debut releases. This one is a must have. Stream and buy Girl Scout at the link below.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Tuff Enuff Records has become one of our favorite labels. The Brighton, UK outfit grew out of Riots Not Diets; a Brighton-based queer/riot grrrl/DIY night. Already delivering a summer full of fine releases, we have yet another from them. Begin To Dissolve is the debut 7" from Slum Of Legs. The two tracks are a trip to the riot grrrl underground, where passionate, politicized, edgy DIY music rules. The release is available as a 250 unit vinyl 7" limited edition release. Grab it while you can. Stream and buy Begin To Dissolve at the link below.

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&amp;lt;a href="http://riotsnotdiets.bandcamp.com/album/begin-to-dissolve"&amp;gt;Begin To Dissolve by Slum Of Legs&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Monday, August 4, 2014

FZB favorite Synthetic Epiphany is back with a new album, Solaris. The solo project of UK artist/producer Marcus Levy-Chance, The album's eight tracks are each a unique sonic journey spanning genres and styles. What they all have in common are lush synthesizers, flawless production, and imaginative sonic imagery. Synthetic Epiphany continues to be an electronic artist of vision, with seemingly unbounded creativity. This album is a must have. Stream and buy Solaris at the link below.

Friday, August 1, 2014

July 14th marked the debut release of the S/T EP from South Carolina band Skymonk. The three tracks are stadium rock anthems with a Kings of Leonesq﻿ue vibe. Powerful vocals, meticulous guitars and a rhythm section that's there, on it, all the time. The middle track So Low has that feel that you get when you listen to a track and everything just works so well and one thinks, yeah. The trio of Kelly Nash, Scott Roberts and Ben Evans show that just being a really good band is trendy. Stream and download Skymonk at the link below.

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For review consideration on FZB, you must email both your Bandcamp and Facebook links to russianwinterrecords(at)gmail(dot)com. We only review albums and EP's that are streaming on Bandcamp. Do not submit before your tracks are live on Bandcamp, we will discard advance submissions. We do not review releases in languages other than English, remixes, or releases over 4 months past their release date.

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